The Hood idol hip hop culture awards recognizes artists, music industry professionals, community leaders and small businesses for their contributions to the hip hop culture and the community. This show is always an amazing production produced by Lex Luga. Get your tickets now on sale at http://www.hoodidolawards.eventbrite.com
Check out pictures from previous award shows
Brian was born and raised in Flowood, Mississippi. His family has always been around music. Brian even has the support of his two brothers Brandon, and Blair Ballou. Brian’s grandparents were musicians too, and music teachers. Brian’s father’s dad was a piano teacher, and his mom’s mother played piano for her church. Growing up Brian and his three brothers enjoyed Motown, Soul and R&B.
Many musicians inspired Brian including Luther Vandross, Jimi Hendrix, B.B. King and many more. When Brian’s mom would take him and his brothers to school growing up, she always listened to Kixie 107.5. Sam Cooke was also a huge artist that influenced Brian’s musical taste. Especially, his widely known hit “A Change is Gonna Come”.
The first guitar Brian picked up was a Blue and White Fender that he got for Christmas. It was one he always wanted because Brian wanted to play like Jimi Hendrix. As soon as he became better, Brian started going to the Thursday night Blues Challenge at Frank Jones Corner in Jackson, Mississippi. The number of talented Blues Musicians that passed through just pushed Brian to be better. As a matter of fact, Brian and his younger brother even got to play a few songs with Grammy Award winner Bobby Rush.
Over the years, Brian started becoming more and more involved in the music scene in Jackson, Mississippi. Brian even got the opportunity to play in the Delta Hot Tamale Festival in Greenville, Mississippi. Brian now owns nine guitars and he has a single out called “Broken City”, and currently wrapping up the next one.
Brian is on the C-spire commercial advertising the Blues Trail here in Mississippi.
Known to most as “The Publisher” Mr. Kelly Cole is a 2X #1 Best Selling Author, Speaker & Entrepreneur. Born in the most notorious housing project in the world “Cabrini Green” in Chicago, IL, He went from working at Wal-Mart and Blockbuster to owning one of the fastest growing book publishing companies in the US. http://www.publishingadvantagegroup.com
Kelly has authored and published over 50+ paperback, audio, and e-books to date. Kelly has been seen on NBC, FOX, ABC, Yahoo Finance, The CW, Gospel Updates Magazine, A Magazine & more. In 2014 he was even elected into the GrindMoves Hall of Fame.
Columbus spent most of his early life in Milwaukee, WI, and later moved to Belzoni, MS, where his love for music began to truly blossom. After receiving his high school diploma from Humphreys County High School, Columbus attended Natchez College and played basketball, it was there he realized his true passion was music. Soon after he attended Tougaloo College and Jackson State University on music scholarships. Columbus began recording with several groups for his first 20 years.
Columbus had early opportunities to see the world stage firsthand, traveling with and singing back up with celebrity artists such as, Brian McKnight and being an opening act for Blues Legend, BB King. Columbus has continued writing and recording for at least thirty years and is taking everything in stride. Columbus decided to take the world solo as he began recording some of his most heartfelt music such as
“ You’re the Kind of Woman I Need” and his get on the floor and step “Let’s Go”. Columbus is currently in the studio working on his upcoming album with his hit release “Hobo Moan” which has already given him a nomination for a Mississippi Blues award.
Artistic Expression
“Singing allows me to share my blessing in lyrics and song. It is my responsibility, to share my gift. In my vocal expression I expose the very emotion and raw feelings of intense rhythmic song, that would otherwise be withheld from others. Our ancestors would call it a moan. All I am trying to do, is give my Soul to Soul.”
Submit your song at this link https://www.sscmarketinggroup.com/store/Song-CONTEST-Submissions-c163968143
for a chance to win cash and prizes.
Prizes: First Place at the award show: $500 Cash and $2500 worth of Services by SSC Marketing which includes Radio Interviews, TV interviews, Magazine placement, Tour placement, Consultation, Studio Time, Beats and more.
Second place prize at the award show: Magazine Placement, Radio Interview, Radio rotation, Consultation and studio time.
Third Place at the award show: Magazine Placement, radio rotation and consultation.
Letha's Real Talk 